Book Drives in Action

Brianna Strassle's African Library Project

05/20/2017 onward05/20/2017 to 09/01/2017

Berlin NJ

We are working with the African Library Project to provide books to eager readers in Africa who have very few books. Please help us by collecting and delivering gently used books or by raising money to help pay for shipping to Africa. It takes only 1000 books and $500 (plus a little elbow grease!) to start a single library and make a huge difference in children’s lives.

This book drive is organized by ...

My name is Brianna Strassle and I am currently a student at The University of Scranton. I am studying Occupational Therapy with a minor in Counseling and Human Services, and I have just completed my freshmen year. I am from a small town in South Jersey, Berlin, where I will be collecting the books. My African Library Project will be collecting books for a community library in Sierra Leone. I am aiming to collect over a 1000 books and $500 in order to start a library in Africa and I need everyone's help to reach that goal. I cannot wait to begin my drive, and thank you in advance to all who donate.

Our website link:

We want to start a library in Africa because...

Through my African Library project I hope to bring awareness to the lack of resources schools in Africa currently have, especially when it comes to books. Every child should have the chance to read and further their education. For those who know me well, I am known to be a huge advocate for reading, and you can always find me with a book in my hands wherever I go. Ever since middle school, I have gained a love for reading that only continues to grow with every new novel I read. I hope the same love I have can be instilled within the students who receive the books donated through my drive. I want to start this library so no child is void of the experience that comes from opening a book. For years it has been my goal to organize my own book drive, and this organization has given me the perfect opportunity to do so. I couldn't be more excited to get started and make a difference in the lives of the children in Sierra Leone.

About our African Partners...

Please contribute these kinds of books...

I am collecting books to create a community library, therefore I will be collecting books for pre-school to eighth grade reading level. Below I have listed some ideas for types of books and resources that can be donated.
-Baby board books
-Children’s picture books
-Children’s fiction and non-fiction
-Teacher's resource books for school libraries
-Encyclopedias less than 15 years old
-Paperback textbooks in math, English, geography, health, and any science at appropriate level.
-books teaching life skills about health, hygiene, adolescence and careers
-Accurate up-to-date atlases
-Books about Africa or African-Americans
-Brain teasers, flash cards, educational games and puzzles
-Dictionaries
-Life skills books about health, hygiene, adolescence, careers, etc.
-Books with universal themes (friendships, animals, love)
-literary magazines in good condition
Try not to donate books that the children would not relate to, such as those involving North American holidays.
Also, paper back books are highly encouraged because they cost much less to ship to Sierra Leone. However, hard back books are still accepted as well.

Here's how you can contribute your books...

I will be setting up book drop off bins throughout Berlin and Voorhees for donations, and will post the locations of them once they are finalized. Until then, please drop off any donations at my current home address. Please contact me for my address if needed. If you live in the area I am more than willing to drive to pick up the books as well. If you know me or my family personally then feel free to give them your donations when you see them.

We need to raise funds for shipping the books...

On top of collecting 1000 books, I also need to raise a minimum of $500 for the book drive. The money all goes towards shipping costs. I have to ship the donations first to New Orleans, which is where the warehouse of the organization is located. From New Orleans, the books will then be shipped to Sierra Leone. Any donation Is greatly appreciated, and if we raise more than $500, the money will go towards other resources needed for the school.

Here are some ways that you can help...

There are plenty of ways to help me reach this goal besides just through donating money and books. Please spread the word about my book drive to your friends and family so we can raise as many books as we can. I am going to try to send out a flyer which you can post somewhere in the community to help more people know about what the African Library Project is all about. Also, I will greatly accept volunteers to help me collect books when needed. When time comes to sort the books there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved with the drive as well.

Contact us to find out more

Name: Brianna Strassle Through email or phone is the best way to reach me personally, and I will happy to answer any questions.Email: brianna.strassle@scranton.eduPhone: 856-558-1153

Name: Nancy Strassle Email: nanstrass@comcast.netPhone: 856-397-6077

Name: George Strassle Email: gstrass@comcast.net Phone: 856-952-1542

Progress Report

Our Goal

1000 books

$500 fundraising

Results so far
(updated: 9/8/17)

1800 books

$1000 fundraising

Acknowledgements

Thank you in advance to everyone who donates to my book drive, I cannot express my gratitude enough. This project means the world to me. Thank you to those who have supported me in wanting to do this book drive; I could not have done it without your help.

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About the African Library Project

Learn more about the African Library Project at http://www.africanlibraryproject.org.
You can 'like' us at http://facebook.com/africanlibraryproject - get updates, inspiration and more!